The surprising impact your oral health has on the rest of your body

Published on 30th August, 2022 at 11:59 am

Brushing and flossing can ensure more than just a bright white smile.

Reading time: 4 minutes

In this article you’ll learn:

• Why good oral care is important to your overall health.
• The risks of certain poor oral care habit.
• Healthy behaviours to include in your oral hygiene routine.
• How to be financially protected for any oral health medical intervention.

If you thought halitosis (bad breath) was the worst thing that could happen if you’re a bit slack on the oral hygiene front, think again. While it might be embarrassing to be on the receiving end of a surreptitiously offered breath mint, paying more attention to your teeth and gums could keep you healthier for longer – and even save your life.

“Your mouth is a gateway for viruses and bacteria to enter your body,” says Pretoria periodontist Dr Tanya de Wet. “Keeping your mouth in tip-top shape frees your immune system to fight off other sicknesses as needed.”

How is the health of your teeth connected to your heart?

Studies have shown a direct link between poor oral health and cardiovascular problems. This could be because the bacteria that cause gum disease and tooth decay can enter your bloodstream, travel to your heart, and wreak all sorts of havoc there, such as inflammation and blood clots. Left untreated or undiagnosed, this could lead to a heart attack or stroke.

What about your lungs and other organs?

“Periodontal disease is a bacterial infection, and bacteria can enter the blood stream and travel to major organs and begin new infections,” says Dr Hans van Heerden, specialist periodontist in Cape Town. “People who have heart conditions, diabetes or compromised immune systems need to take extra care.”

Your lungs can also be at risk if you’re struggling with respiratory issues. The American Thoracic Society recently published a report pointing out that “some bacteria [in gum disease] can be inhaled into the lungs on tiny droplets of saliva… Gum disease can also worsen the chronic inflammation in lung diseases such as asthma. Infected and inflamed gums send out a ‘distress signal’ that places the rest of the body on alert. This can lead to more inflammation in the lungs.”

Some of the worst habits that damage teeth

Smoking

Lighting up increases your risk for gum infections and heart disease. “Recent studies have shown that smokers have an increased risk of developing periodontal disease,” cautions Dr van Heerden. “If you are a smoker, you should have regular periodontal check-ups.”

Drinking alcohol

Saliva helps keep your mouth clean, but alcohol dries out your teeth and gums, which can lead to tooth decay. You also might not be inclined to floss properly after having a few tipples.

Poor oral hygiene

Not brushing and flossing regularly, skipping teeth cleanings and not going for dental check-ups every six months impacts the health of your teeth and gums.

How can you keep your mouth in good condition?

Dr de Wet suggests the following habits to keep your teeth and gums in tip-top condition:

Clean regularly and thoroughly

Clean your teeth, gums and tongue properly by brushing twice a day (preferably with an electric toothbrush) and flossing at least once a day. Brush your tongue, too, and rinse with mouthwash to further help eliminate bacteria and prevent plaque build-up.

Watch what you eat

Try to avoid foods that can harm teeth instantly – such as hard candy or popcorn kernels – and those treats that quietly cause their damage while you’re not paying attention, such as soft sweets and acids, which can cause tooth decay.

Keep drinking water

Drink enough water to help strengthen your tooth enamel and rinse away bacteria and acid.

Don’t stress-chew

When you’re under pressure, it’s easy to default to chewing your fingernails, pen caps or anything else that doesn’t belong in your mouth. You could chip or damage your teeth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria.

The financial case for taking care of your teeth

Proper oral care is not always cheap – but it shouldn’t be considered a luxury. With regular check-ups and cleanings, the need for major, expensive oral intervention like surgery or dental implants can be minimised.

This is where having risk cover can provide much-needed financial protection, says Karen Bongers, product development actuary at Sanlam Individual Life. “Good medical aid and gap cover is a must, with severe illness cover providing additional protection against costs not covered by these, including some often-unexpected costs like traveling to treatment centres, additional help at home, and lifestyle changes. If the disease that you are diagnosed with also impacts your ability to work, disability and income protection play a critical role by replacing lost income.”

A comprehensive medical aid plan can also help you manage your risk, if you use the dental benefit to prioritise your oral health, Bongers points out.

Bonitas and Fedhealth are both the preferred medical aid partners of Sanlam. If you have a medical aid membership with either scheme, and take out a Sanlam Premier insurance policy, you qualify for a 15% boost to your Wealth Bonus. Learn more about Wealth Bonus here.

Before making any changes to your financial plan, it’s important to first meet with an expert financial planner. Book a meeting with one today.